Angelfish aggression and your opinions please...

[Lukara]

I am considering getting 2 angelfish for my 50 gallon tank (45 gallons when you consider the gravel, plants etc...) currently stocked with 6 rummynose tetras, 6 harlequin rasboras, 1 dwarf gourami, and 2 SAE's (currently only about 1 1/2 inches long).

I've heard so many mixed opinions regarding angelfish aggression, so I thought I'd come here (because this site is the most helpful with experienced people) to see what you all think.

1) Aside from if they are mating, do I have enough space to avoid territorial aggression?
2) Will my tetras and rasboras become fish food?
3) I have read opinions where if you raise the angelfish in a community tank from when they are babies (about the size of a nickel) that they become accustomed to the inhabitants of the tank and they don't consider them as food. Is there any truth to this?
4) Is there any kind of angelfish that are more aggressive than others?

Your input and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[TomFromStLouis]

I have 9 angels in a 75g with rummynose and SAEs. They only chase each other. It bothered me at first, but very little damage was done (and none that did not grow back). I have come to see them as like a bit of a street gang - only happy when scuffling among themselves. Mine take over 1/3 or more of the tank when spawning and the attacks become quite fun to watch: they will flare and lean, sometimes beyond horizontal, and dart at another angel to move them away from the spawning site. Mine came into my tank last at nickel size and have never looked at the rummynose as food. Amano shrimp were another story though.

My conversations with angel breeders have led me to believe that wild caught angels (which you are unlikely to find at a lfs) school more and are more skittish and less aggressive than the domestically bred ones. Don't bother trying to locate them though - regular angels are awesome additions to a community tank.

Visit angelsplus.com and angelfish.net for more info.

[famman]

1) Yes
2) Maybe, but probably not the adults
3) That is in general true, but dont be surprised.
4) It seems to vary according to the individual

good luck
:)

[ChilDawg]

Rasboras seem to be of the size where they could easily be angel food...and that's not my favorite way to make that sort of cake.

Angels are generally only aggressive when breeding, but they will pick off smaller fish because that's what fish do.

[skeletalmachine]

I keep 5 angels in a densly planted 55 gal tank with no problems at all. There is a lot of aggression amongst them, but as TomFromStLouis said, there is really no permanent harm done. I also really like to watch them fight and display at each other.

As for the smaller tank mates, I've got some very small prstella tetras in the tank with them right now and the angelfish leave them alone. My angels aren't full size yet though. Perhaps a full grown angel would eat them.